Johann Christian Bach: Complete Opera Overtures (3 CD, FLAC)

Composer: Johann Christian Bach
Performer: Hanover Band, Anthony Halstead
Audio CD
SPARS Code: DDD
Number of Discs: 3
Format: FLAC (tracks+cue)
Label: CPO Records
Size: 811 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

CD 01
01. Artaserse, CW G1 (T. 217/3): Overture: I. Allegro molto
02. II. Andante
03. III. Presto
04. Cantata a tre voci (‘Birthday Cantata’), CW G11: Overture: I. Allegro assai
05. II. Andante
06. III. Allegro assai
07. Gli Uccellatori, CW G23 (T. 277/3): Overture: I. Allegro con spirit
08. II. Andante
09. III. Allegro assai
10. Alessandro nell’Indie, CW G3 (T. 212/6): Overture: I. (Allegro)
11. II. Andante
12. III. Allegro assai
13. La Giulia, CW G22ab (T. 275/3) (2 versions): Overture: I. Allegro di molto
14. II. Andante
15. III. Allegro
16. Il Tutore e la Pupilla, CW G24 (T. 273/2): Overture: I. Allegro assai
17. II. Andante
18. III. Presto
19. Catone in Utica, Op. 14/3, CW G2ov (T. 222/7): Overture: I. Allegro
20. II. Andante
21. III. Allegro assai
22. La Cascina, CW G26 (T. 273/5): Overture: I. (Allegro)
23. II. Andante
24. III. Presto
25. IV. (alternative 2nd movement) Andante
26. La Calamità de’Cuori, CW G27 (T. 272/5): Overture: I. Allegro assai
27. II. Andante grazioso
28. III. Presto

CD 02
01. Gioas, re di Giuda, CW D1 (T. 225/3): Overture: Grave – Allegro – (Grave) – Andante
02. La clemenza di Scipione, CW G10 (T. 229) (incomplete): Overture: I. Allegro assai
03. II. March in E flat major
04. III. March in G major
05. Adriano in Siria, CW G6 (T. 211/1): Overture: I. Allegro con brio
06. II. Andante
07. III. Allegro assai
08. Zanaida, CW G5 (T. 241/3): Overture: I. Allegro assai
09. II. Andante
10. III. Allegro di molto
11. Carattaco, CW G7 (T. 219/4): Overture: I. Allegro di molto
12. II. Andante
13. III. Presto
14. IV. No. 20, March in B flat major
15. V. No. 26, March in G major
16. Orione, o sai Diana vendicata, CW G4ov (T. 272/2) (2 versions): Overture: I. Allegro con brio
17. II. Andante
18. III. Allegro
19. Symphony for orchestra in D major (‘Schmitt Op. 18/1’), CW XC3 (T. 271/6): I. Allegro assai
20. II. Andante
21. III. Allegro assai

CD 03
01. Endimione, CW G15 (T.248/2) (2 versions): Overture: I. Allegro
02. II. Andante
03. III. Allegro assai
04. Temistocle, CW G8 (T. 238/3): Overture: I. Allegro di molto
05. II. Andante
06. III. Presto
07. Lucio Silla, CW G9 (T. 232/1): Overture: I. Allegro assai
08. II. Andante
09. III. Presto
10. Amadis des Gaule, CW G39 (T.215/3): Overture: I. Allegro
11. II. Andante
12. III. Allegro
13. Amadis des Gaule, CW G39 (T.215/3): Ballet Music: I. Gavotte
14. II. Ballet
15. III. Air (lent)
16. IV. Allegro
17. V. Choeur (Allegro)
18. VI. Ballet (Adagio)
19. VII. Choeur (Allegro)
20. VIII. Ballet (Adagio assai)
21. IX. Ballet (allegro maestoso)
22. X. Gavotte (Allegretto)
23. XI. Ariette et choeur
24. XII. Tambourin

A Fine Gathering

Through thick and thin, Johann Christian Bach has remained my favorite also-ran Classical Era composer, if we define also-ran as anyone else than W.A. Mozart and F.J. Haydn. This three-disc set shows off J.C.’s vigor, wit and invention to no small degree. It’s a collection of his opera overtures, which most of the time translates in practice into short three-movement proto-symphonies, with assorted marches and the like scattered here and there. It’s all very engaging 18th Century music, but also music that is distinctive, boasting personality and spirit. As usual, the Hanover Band under Anthony Halstead delivers these pieces in marvelous period instrument style. Recommended.